New scholarship initiative aims to end child marriage and open doors to education across Africa and Asia.
By Ed-Grant Ndoza – Malawi News Agency
For schoolgirls from financially struggling families, the future just got brighter.
Across Africa and Asia, where millions of children still lack access to quality education, poverty is no longer an insurmountable barrier for high-achieving girls from low-income backgrounds.
Motivated students now have a tangible chance to turn their academic dreams into reality, thanks to a game-changing initiative from the Merck Foundation.
The initiative is part of the Foundation’s flagship “More Than a Mother” campaign, a wide-reaching advocacy and development programme designed to empower women and dismantle social and cultural barriers, particularly those surrounding fertility, education, and gender-based violence.
Launched in partnership with First Ladies from 17 African and Asian nations, the campaign is now offering 1,000 scholarships to deserving girls who demonstrate academic potential and a desire to change their futures through education.
This move aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4—ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, and comes at a time when global education inequalities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to threaten the futures of millions of students, particularly girls.
The scholarships were officially announced during the 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, held on Wednesday, June 18, in Dubai, an event that gathered African and Asian First Ladies, health ministers, and development partners to chart a path forward for inclusive social programmes.
Education: A Weapon Against Child Marriage and Cultural Barriers
Professor Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, described the scholarship programme as a direct response to deeply rooted practices, such as child marriage and early school dropout, that continue to rob girls of their futures across parts of Africa and Asia.
“These scholarships are renewable each year, but they come with a condition,” he noted.
“Recipients must demonstrate dedication and seriousness. We will be monitoring their progress closely to ensure the support translates into real impact.”
He further highlighted that education is not only a personal asset but also a catalyst for community and national development, echoing findings from UNESCO and the World Bank that show how girls’ education boosts economies, reduces poverty, and improves health outcomes across generations.
Voices from the Summit
In her keynote address, Maldives First Lady Sajidha Mohamed called education “one of life’s most enduring and powerful assets,” adding:
“Once you acquire education, you will use it throughout your life—for your own betterment and to help others.”
Kenya’s First Lady, Rachel Ruto, applauded the Merck Foundation for its impactful work and urged fellow First Ladies to commit even more deeply to this mission:
“It is our responsibility to remove all barriers that stand in the path of girls’ education.”
The summit also emphasised that while empowering girls is essential, gender equity in education must also include opportunities for boys to ensure that all youth are equipped to contribute to self-reliant, resilient societies.
Medical Fellowships: Bridging Global Health Gaps
Running parallel to the girls’ education programme is a second major investment in human capital: 2,270 fellowships for graduate-level medical studies in 44 underserved specialities.
These include chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, reproductive and sexual health, orthopaedics (particularly urgent in areas with high rates of road traffic injuries), and emerging infectious diseases.
This focus responds to critical healthcare workforce shortages, especially in rural areas where the World Health Organisation estimates that up to 60% of healthcare facilities lack sufficient skilled personnel.
A Legacy of Impact
The summit marked two milestones for the Merck Foundation: its 8th anniversary and 13 years of development programming aimed at improving lives through education, health, and gender equity.
Merck Foundation CEO Senator Rasha Kelej described the First Ladies’ Summits as vital platforms to sustain momentum toward a shared vision: a healthier, more equitable world.
“These summits allow us to listen, learn, and build stronger partnerships that deliver real results, especially in remote areas long forgotten by traditional development models,” she said.
The two-day event was livestreamed on multiple social media platforms, reportedly reaching over 8 million viewers globally, underscoring growing international interest in locally led development initiatives.
Global Relevance, Local Action
The Merck Foundation’s approach reflects a growing trend among international development actors: combining high-level advocacy with grassroots implementation through partnerships with national leaders, especially First Ladies, who have both political influence and cultural credibility.
At the summit, first ladies from several countries reiterated their commitment to the foundation’s agenda, citing gains in combating infertility stigma, addressing gender-based violence, and promoting universal healthcare and education for all.
With the backing of First Ladies and the continued drive of Merck Foundation leadership, these programmes are expanding their reach, bringing real change to the lives of underserved girls, young doctors, and entire communities across the Global South.
